Vanity case



Feb. 20, 1934.

L. C. WOLFSON VANITY CASE Filed Aug. 11; 1933 ATTORNEY,

Patented Feb. 20, 1934 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES 6 Claims.

My invention relates to a vanity case, and more particularly to an article of this type for ladies, use, embodying therein, in compact form, a casing containing a compartment for cigarettes, a compartment for face powder and a powder puff, and mirrored surfaces facilitating the use of the powder puff.

With the growth of the cigarette smoking habit amongst ladies, it has become a common practice for them to carry a'cigarette case inaddition to v a compact.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide, in one structure, a cigarette case and a'compact, this structure being such as to permit access to cigarettes or to the powder pufi without possibility of tobacco dust becoming mixed with the face powder, or the face powder being split upon the cigarettes. In securing the desired result, it is not only essential to provide separate covers for the cigarette compartment and for the powder puff compartment, but to provide an independent inner closure for the powder puff compartment in order to permit the case as a whole to be carried without likelihood of fine particles of powder or tobacco moving from one compartment into the other.

The arrangement of parts is preferably such that the powder puff compartment must be closed and sealed by the inner closure, before the case can be so closed as to be placed in the handbag of the user.

By the use of a double closure for the powder puff compartment, it is possible to provide the inside of the cover, and the outside of the inner closure with highly burnished or mirrored surfaces so that either surface may be used to facilitate the application of the powder to the face,the inner closure avoiding any possibility of the escape of powder from the compartment while the powder puff is in use. By reason of the construction and arrangement of parts, the smutting of the mirrored surfaces by the'powder is also avoided.

The invention consists primarily in a vanity case embodying therein a body, a clip hingedly connected thereto and positioned within and adjacent one end thereof, a dished member secured within and adjacent the other end of said body, the relative dimensions of said body and said dished portion being such as to permit the storage of cigarettes adjacent said clip, and the storage of face powder and a powder puff within said dished member, independent covers hinged to said body adjacent opposite ends thereof, co-opcrating latch members acting upon said body and said covers respectively, and an inner closure for said dished member; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vanity case embodying the invention with both covers and the inner closure in the open position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on. the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the covers and the inner closure in the closed position; and

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the dished member. n

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views. r

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the body 10 of the caseis an oblong shallow trough which may be approximately three-sixteenths of a an inch in depth. Adjacent one end thereof and connected therewith by a spring hinge 11 is a clip 12, such as is commonly used in cigarette cases.

At the end of the casing opposite to the clip 12 is a dished member 13 for the reception of face powder and a powder puff. This dished member 13 is formed of sheet metal and has hinged to the edge thereof, adjacent the clip 12, an inner closure .14 having a pendant flange 15 adapted to seat within a groove 16 about the top edge of the frame of said member in a manner to form a sufliciently tight joint to preclude the escape of face powder therefrom, or powdered tobacco thereinto.

The closure 14 is provided with a spring latch member 1'7 adapted to co-operate with a keeper opening 18 in the top of the frame of the dished member.

A hinged connection 19 for theclosure 14 is provided adjacent the edge of the frame presented toward the clip 12.

The frame of the dished member 13 is provided with pendant flanges 20, opposite end flanges being inwardly turned and provided with openings 21 co-operating with lugs 22 upon the body 10 for securing said dished member within the casing and holding it against displacement. This means of connection between the dished member and the body of the casing is not material, however, as other means of attachment may be employed; it being essential however that the dished member be formed independently of the body 10 in order to provide anattractive exterior flnish to the article.

.By locating the hinged connection 19 at the side of the casing adjacent the clip 12, the inner closure 14 is so located asto necessitate the sealing of the powder compartment within the;

dished member before the case can be closed, thus ensuring .'a condition where the inner closure and the outer cover adjacent same must both be closed when not in use, and thus effectively prevent the escape of powder. I I

Y Hinged to the body 10 adjacent the hinge of the clip 12 is a cover 23 provided with a latch member 24 adapted to cooperate with a spring latch 25 mounted, in a manner well known in cigarette cases, adjacentan edge of the body 10. One edge of this cover enters a groove 26 along one edge of the frame of the member 13 at one side of the hinged connection 19 between the closure 14 and the dished member 13, the cover 23being dished to substantially the same extent as the body 10.

The spring 11 acts upon the cover 23, this being a common practice in cigarette cases.

Hinged to the body 10 adjacent the member 13 is a cover 27, upwardly dished to substantially the same extent as the cover 23, the side flange of this cover adjacent a side flange of the cover 23 being adapted to enter the groove 26. The corners at the adjacent sides of the covers 23 and 27 are as nearly squared as pos- 'sible, so as to ensure a close fit of these covers when both are in the closed position. l

The member 13, adjacent one end thereof, is provided with a latch member 28 carried by spring arms 29 seated within the hollow frame of the member 13 and bearing against the outer corners of the dished portion of said member, said latch member being exposed through an opening 30 in the top of said frame. An actu-- ating stem 31 for said latch member 28 passes through a slot 32 in the front wall of the body 10 in a manner to cause the latch mechanism to assist in retaining the member 13 within the body 10.

The cover 27 is provided with a keeper tongue 33 formed inwardly of the edge of said cover, the top of the frame of the'member 13 being grooved upon opposite sides of the opening 30 to receive this tongue.

The outer top of the closure 14 is highly burnished so that if desired it may be used as a mirror. I also provide a mirror 34 located within the cover 27 and held in position by a metal frame 35, secured within the cover in any desired manner. I

Seated within the hollow frame is a spring member 36 having a tongue 37 passing through an opening 38 in the top of the frame of the member 13 to a position. where it will engage a rounded portion of the frame 35 and cause automatic movement of the closure 27 upon the actuation of the latch member 28.

In a vanity case embodying the invention, its over-all dimensions are approximately those of a cigarette case commonly used by ladies, the article shown in the drawing being approximate ly three-eigths of an inch in thickness.

When-both covers 23 and 27 are closed. the top and bottom of the case are substantially fiush throughout, and there is only a narrow seam presented between the'two covers. When so closed there isno means of communication between the cigarette compartment and the powder puff compartment, thus avoiding all possibility of the powder or the tobacco dust from one compartment passing into the other.

By making the powder puif compartment as an independent unit, assembled in the structure in the manner described, the powder is not only confined within the dished portion of the member 13, but there is no possibility of dust passing from one compartment to theother below the edge of said member forming one wall of the cigarette compartment.

It will be noted that no soldered joints are required in assembling'the device.

If the user desires a cigarette, the latch member 25 is actuated to permit access to the cigarette compartment, and after a cigarette has been removed, the cover may then be closed.

If it is desired to use the powder puff, the stem 31 is pressed inwardly against the tension of the spring arms 29, thus permitting the cover 27 to be'moved by the tongue 37 and the spring member 36 and'exposing the inner closure 14, it being necessary to raise this inner closure before access can be had to the powder puff. The raising of the cover 27 positions the mirror 34 where it may be readily used in powdering the face. If desired, the closure 14 may be restored to its former position and the burnished top thereof may also be used as a mirror.

When the powder puff compartment is open, the cover 23 will be closed so as to prevent the sprinkling of powder upon the cigarettes in the cigarette compartment when using the powder puff.

When the cigarette compartment is open, the cover 27 will be closed so as to prevent tobacco dust or particles from entering the powder puff compartment.

After the user is through with the powder pufl, it is replaced in the dished portion of the member 13, the closure 14 is brought down upon the frame of said member and the cover 27 is closed. It will be noted that the cover 27 cannot be closed until the inner closure 14 is in the closed position.

By employing an inner closure 14, a more effective sealing of the powder pufi compartment is secured and the smutting of the mirror 34 with powder is prevented.

The efiective seal afforded for the face powder compartment avoids any possibility of the escape of powder when the case is not in use, or the passage of tobacco dust from the cigarette compartment into the powder puff compartment under such conditions.

While certain dimensions have been hereinspecified such are not material.

The exterior of the case may be enamelled, or decorated in any other desired manner, to make the article attractive.

I have found that the manner of connecting the member 13 to and within the body 10 to be highly effective and to give a highly attractive finish to the case not obtainable when using solder. It also permits the economic proo iction of the case.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the drawing, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A vanity case embodying therein a body, a clip hingedly connected thereto and positioned within and adjacent one end thereof, a dished member secured within and adjacent the other ncense end of said body, the relative dimensions of said body and said dished portion being such as to permit the storage of cigarettes adjacent said clip, and the storage of face powder and a powder puif within said dishedv member, independent covers hinged to said body adjacent opposite ends thereof, co-operating latch members acting upon said body and said covers respectively, and an inner closure for said dished member.

2. A vanity case embodying therein a body, a clip hingedly connected thereto and positioned within and adjacent one end thereof, a dished member securedwithin and adjacent the other end of said body, the relative dimensions of said body and said dished portion being such as to permit the storage of cigarettes adjacent said clip, and the storage of face powder and a pow- 3. A vanity case embodying therein a'body, a

clip hingedly connected thereto and positioned within and adjacent one end thereof, a dished member having a frame provided with pendant flanges secured within and adjacent the other end of said body, the relative dimensions of said body and said dished portion being such as to permit the storage of cigarettes adjacent said 4 clip, and the storage of face powder and a powder puff within said dished member, a cover hinged to said body adjacent said clip, a second cover hinged to said body adjacent said dished member, co-operating' latch members acting upon said body and said cover adjacent said clip, a spring latch member within said frame and having an actuating stem, said body having an opening through which said stem projects, an inner closure for said dished member, and a hinged connection between said closure and the edge of said frame adjacent said clip. 4. A vanity case embodying therein a body, clip hingedly connected thereto and positioned 7 within and adjacent one end thereof, a dished body and said dished portion being such as to permit the storage of cigarettes adjacent said clip, and the storage of face powder and a powder puff within said dished member, a cover hinged to said body adjacent said clip, a second cover hinged to said body adjacent said dished member, a mirror the cover for said powder puff compartment, a frame secured within said cover and en aging said mirror, co-operating latch members acting upon said body and said cover adjacent said clip,'a spring latch member within said frame and having an actuating stem, said body having an opening through which said stem projects, an inner closure for said dished member, and a hinged connection between said closure and the edge of said frame adjacent said clip.

5. A vanity case embodying therein a body, a clip hingedly connected thereto and positioned withinand adjacent one end thereof, a dished member having a frame provided with pendant flanges secured within and adjacent the other end of said body, the relative dimensions of said body. and said dished portion being such as to permit the storage of cigarettes adjacent said clip, and the storage of face powder and a powder puff within said dished member, a cover hinged to said body adjacent said clip, a second cover hinged to saidbody adjacent said dished member, co-operating latch members acting upon said body and said cover adjacent said clip, a spring latch member'within said frame and having an actuating stem, said body having an opening through which said stem projects, a spring member within said frame, a tongue carried thereby, said frame, adjacent the hinged cover for said member, having an opening through which said tongue passes, an inner closure for said dished member, and a hinged connection between said closure and the edge of said frame adjacent said clip.

6. A vanity case embodying therein a body, a clip hingedly connected thereto and positioned within and adjacent one end thereof, a dishedmember having a frame provided with pendant flanges secured within and adjacent the other end of said body, the relative dimensions of said body and said dished portion being such as to permit the storage of cigarettes adjacent said clip, and the storage of face powder and a powder puff within said dished member, a cover hinged to said body adjacent said clip, a second cover hinged to said body adjacent said dished member, a mirror within the cover for said powder puff compartment, a frame secured within said cover and engaging said mirror, co-operating latch members acting upon said body and said cover adjacent said clip, a spring latch member within said frame and having an actuating stem, said body having an opening through which said stem projects, a spring member within said frame, a tongue carried thereby, said frame, adjacent the hinged cover for said member, having an opening through which said tongue passes, an inner closure for said dished member, and a hinged connection between said closure and the edge of said frame adjacent said clip. 

